THURROCK Conservatives are calling for action from the Labour-run Council over industrial action targeted on waste collection services.
Conservative spokesman for Environment Cllr Pauline Tolson said "Residents across Thurrock have endured three days of industrial action by UNITE union members in the form of ‘Work to Rule’ and 2 hour stoppage affected collection dates on Thursday 18th, Friday 19th and Monday 22nd of September. This is in addition to the National Strike day in July and planned for mid-October. What I want to know is, has Cllr Fish met with the members of Unite to avert any further local strikes? Neither residents or Councillors have had any assurances that the Labour-run Council is standing up to UNITE, and it appears they are letting them get away with it for political gain."
Although most areas of Thurrock are affected, Orsett appeared to fare worse with brown bins not being collected prior to the strike. Cllr Brian Little said: "Yet again Orsett, as the most rural area in Thurrock, is being put to the bottom of the pile when it comes to services.
When the Labour-run Council is still using about £40,000 of taxpayers money to pay for a full time shop steward, it makes you wonder who is calling the shots, as from Orsett it looks like Thurrock Labour and the unions have UNITE’d against the residents."
Cllr Shane Hebb, Conservative Spokesman for Corporate Services, said: "I am furious Thurrock Labour has failed to push the conclusion of a motion, which asked for Council Senior Manager salary and trade union grant reform, that was passed by councillors from all parties in July 2014."
He added: “After the summer’s strike, the Conservatives put forward a proposal which aimed to reduce senior manager salaries, and review the costs of filling a full time union post at the Council. There was a potential saving of about £140,000 per year; money which could be spent helping low income workers. However, Labour seem quite happy to do nothing but let the unions rule the roost."
